Pages

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Grace has been trained her entire life to become a suicide bomber for her people in order to make a statement against the harsh rule of dictator Keran Berj. But when her ultimate mission fails and she chooses life over death by bomb, Grace is forced to flee on a train, the only way out of Keran Berj's land, with a stranger—a young man named Kerr. Throughout the long hours riddled with fear and uncertainty, Grace and Kerr revisit the past events that have brought them together, and discover what life and freedom are worth.

Elizabeth Scott's latest novel is haunting and horrific, and yet despite how foreign Grace's situation seems, readers will be able to find elements of our own world in this novel: the terrorism, dictatorships, the suicide bombers, and the conviction that people have for their beliefs, no matter how erroneous they may be. Though the first couple of chapters are a bit vague, the pieces quickly fall into place and Grace's life becomes clearer as the book moves quickly forward, bouncing back and forth between her past and training for her death, and Grace's time spent on the train fleeing. Though her escape seems clearly defined and straightforward, Scott does throw in a few unexpected twists to keep you on your toes and always wondering who can be trusted.

Despite the terrible and shocking nature of Grace and Kerr's world, Grace is a beautiful story of how two different people from two very different backgrounds learn to see each other for who they really are and are able to look past the stereotypes of their pasts and people to come together and find a common goal: discovering the purpose of life, achieving freedom, redemption, and ultimately, grace.

This is by far Scott's most powerful and galvanizing book yet, proving her to be a flexible and exceedingly talented writer. Grace is a book that demands to be devoured in one sitting, but read time and time again.

Cover Comments: I think this cover is quite striking--the flames from the explosion that both illuminate and shadow the girl's face is subtle, yet a powerful image at the same time. I am really drawn to it.

Welcome to The Compulsive Reader!

Formerly a YA book blog, TheCompulsiveReader.com is now the personal bookish blog of YA writer Tirzah Price! For more frequent dispatches about books, writing, and general nonsense, check out Book Riot, head over to Twitter or follow TirzahPrice on Litsy!